Knockans Upper

8 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Knockans Upper, from 2,322 m² (0.23 ha, 0.57 acres) to 300,502 m² (30.05 ha, 74.26 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary. 23 neighbouring parcels touch it.

Download the townland as DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its boundary, parcels and buildings, or as GeoJSON or KML.

No zone of a development plan covers Knockans Upper in the national zoning. Outside zoned towns and villages, the county development plan's rural policies apply to each application.

Source: Tailte Éireann and the Department of Housing (MyPlan), national zoning, CC BY 4.0.

No planning application touches the townland of Knockans Upper in the national file, which goes back to 2010.

Source: National Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Applicants are not shown.

Designated sites

• Special Area of Conservation: East Burren Complex SAC 001926
• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: East Burren Complex 001926

Recorded monuments

• CL010-064035 Ringfort - cashel
  Description

  Prominently sited (on the 700' contour) in mixed rough pasture and limestone pavement, commanding wide views out E-SSW, and within a large multiperiod field system (CL010-064001-). Hachured and labelled ‘Mohernacartan’ on the OS 25-inch plan (1897) and on the later, Cassini edition (1920) of the OS 6-inch map. Named ‘Mothair na Ceartán’ on Robinson’s map of the Burren (1977). This suboval cashel (c. 46m NW-SE; c. 32.5m NE-SW) is defined by a double-faced stone wall (Wth 2.5m; int. H 0.5-0.7m; av. ext. H 1m; max. ext. H 2.7m at NE) of generally large, weathered limestone blocks with smaller stones used as packing. Most stones are laid on end but some are set vertically in the wall. Westropp (1896, 365) found the wall standing up to 3m high and wide, and he noted the use of large ‘header blocks’ (L 1.22-2.13m; Wth 0.76m; H 0.76m). A good portion of the enclosing wall is built on large sheets of rock outcrop. The original outer wall-face survives in most places. The entrance (Wth 2m) is at the NNW. There is another clear break (Wth 2.2m) in the wall at the ENE, with a wall (H 1.3m) extending from its inner edge into the cashel interior. Many stones are strewn down the steep slope outside this gap. There is a souterrain (CL010-064082-) in the NNW sector of the generally level interior. There are also several modern animal pens around the edges, against the cashel wall. Later walls radiate from the cashel at the N, ESE, SW and NNW. The wall at the N may be ancient, and potentially associated with the cashel entrance. This cashel may be the ‘field called Garraidh na Ceártan’ associated with Lon Mac Loimhtha, the mythological smith of the Tuatha Dé Danann, according to a local folkloric tradition recorded in 1839 in the OS Letters (Comber 1997, 21-23; see also Westropp 1895). Reference: Westropp, T.J. 1895 The Cow Legend of Corofin, Co. Clare. The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 5, 227-229. See attached image: CL010-064035-_01.JPG Aerial view from N, March 2007 (Photo. Markus Casey) Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 12 May 2023

• CL010-064039 Hut site
  Description

  In a semi-karst plateau in rough pasture, within an extensive multiperiod field system (CL010-064001-). Hachured on the 1842 and 1920 eds. of the OS 6-inch map. This circular hut site (int. diam. 8.5m) is defined by a moss-covered stony bank (Wth 2-3.2m; av. H 0.5m). The interior is quite stony and generally level. A souterrain (CL010-064083-) extends SSW from the SSW edge of the hut site. The following images have been uploaded: CL010-064039-_01.jpg View from SSW CL010-064039-_02.jpg From SSW overview Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 19 April 2023

• CL010-064082 Souterrain
  Description

  In the NW of a cashel (CL010-064035-), 4m inside the cashel entrance. This souterrain (min. L 8m; Wth 0.9-1.35m; D 0.5-0.9m) is orientated NNE-SSW. The souterrain’s roof is intact near the NNE end (L 2.6m), with four roof lintels visible. Westropp (1896, 365) recorded these lintels as measuring ‘six feet’ [c. 1.83m] in length. A further displaced lintel covers the rounded NNE end of the passage, where loose stones are visible on the souterrain floor. Nettles grow in the SSW half of the passage. This souterrain may be the ‘cave in a rock’ said to be the forge of Lon Mac Loimhtha, the mythological smith of the Tuatha Dé Danann, according to a local folkloric tradition recorded in 1839 in the OS Letters (Comber 1997, 21-23; see also Westropp 1895). Reference: Westropp, T.J. 1895 The Cow Legend of Corofin, Co. Clare. The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 5, 227-229. Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 12 May 2023

• CL010-064083 Souterrain
  Description

  In a semi-karst plateau in rough pasture, within an extensive multiperiod field system (CL010-064001-). This linear souterrain (L 12.2m; Wth 1.4-1.5m; D 1.2m) extends SSW from the SSW edge of a hut site (CL010-064039-). It is built within a natural gryke, with bedrock walls. It survives best near the centre. The S end (D 0.4m) is covered in rubble. The N end is also collapsed but might be more accessible (min. D 0.8m). The souterrain is roofed with at least twelve stone lintels visible in their original position along its length. The following images have been uploaded: CL010-064083-_01.jpg Souterrain from NNE CL010-064083-_02.jpg View from SSW CL010-064083-_03.jpg Also from SSW CL010-064083-_04.jpg Closer view from SSW CL010-064083-_05.jpg Interior centre from NNE CL010-064083-_06.jpg Interior centre from SSW CL010-064083-_07.jpg Interior centre from SSW CL010-064083-_08.jpg NNE end from SSW CL010-064083-_09.jpg SSW end NNE Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 19 April 2023

• CL010-075 Fulacht fia
  Description

  Against a S-facing bedrock outcrop cliff, on elevated ground in rough pasture and bushes, with a spring well 15m to the W. Marked on Robinson’s (1977) map. This fulacht fia comprises a semi-circular mound (15m E-W; 13m N-S; max. H 1.2-1.4m) with some stone facing on its SE slope. At the E part of the mound is an apparently later subcircular cairn (2.8m E-W; 2.2m N-S) of unburnt stones, with several upright stones (max. H 0.48m) on its E side. Extending N from this cairn is a wall (Wth 0.6-0.8m) which also appears to be relatively modern in date. There are burnt stones around the nearby spring to the W. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 24 May 2023

• CL010-125 Fulacht fia
  Description

  On wet, rush-covered ground in a narrow, NE-SW valley between the 400’ and 500’ contours. Listed as ‘Fulachta fiadh’ in the RMP (1996), based on reports by Tom Coffey and Ann Lynch (SMR file); the latter noting extensive damage by a bulldozer in the then-recent past, as a consequence of ground clearance for a farm track. This almost destroyed fulacht fia survived only as a denuded mound (15m NE-SW; 12m NNW-SSE) of blackened soil and stone. There were two relatively undisturbed portions of the mound; one (L 4.5m; H 1m) at the NNW with several large loose burnt stones lying on top, and a second portion (L 3m; H 1m) at the SSE where some briars and blackthorns grew. The large stones may be the displaced lining stones from a trough. During an inspection in 1999, burnt stone and ash covered the surface of the bulldozed trackway for 9m to the SSE of the damaged fulacht fia, and silverweed, black knapweed, daisy, red clover and buttercup grew on the site. Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 26 May 2023

• CL010-142 Fulacht fia
  Description

  On a slight rise in a low-lying area, with a strong-flowing stream to the N and a NE-SW running hazel-covered ridge to the NW. Listed as ‘Fulachta fia’ in the RMP (1996), on the basis of a map annotation by Tom Coffey (1994, SMR file), indicating three fulachtaí fia here. This well-preserved fulacht fia comprises a vegetation-covered, horseshoe-shaped mound (21m E-W; 16m N-S; H 1-1.7m) which is open to the N enclosing a shallow internal area (L c. 6m; Wth 2m). There is a later NE-SW field wall along the SE side of the mound. No other fulachtaí fia were found at this location. A fulacht fia (CL010-148----) lies c. 125m to the SW. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 31 May 2023

• CL010-148 Fulacht fia
  Description

  On a slight rise at the NW edge of a low-lying marshy field of rushes. Identified by Tom Coffey in 1994 (SMR file). This irregular fulacht fia (12m N-S; 11m E-W) comprises an arc of bank (int. H 0.9m; ext. H 1m) from NE to SE. Its W extent (SW-NW) is merged into higher ground. The central area (5.5m E-W; 4m N-S) may have opened to N or S. Several loose stones at the NW may have been displaced from a trough and there is a large stone at the SW. Another fulacht fia (CL010-142----) lies c. 125m to the NE. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 7 June 2023

• CL010-150 Fulacht fia
  Description

  In a hazel wood near the base of a NE-SW cliff, with a spring to the N at the cliff-base. Possibly identified by Tom Coffey in c. 1994 (SMR file). This partly hazel-covered fulacht fia comprises a horseshoe-shaped mound (13m E-W; 11.5m N-S; int. H 0.3-0.5m; ext. H 0.45-1.4m) of burnt stone and ash, with an opening (4m N-S; 3m E-W) to the N. There is another fulacht fia (CL010-151----) c. 90m to the SE, and a cashel (CL010-073----) c. 50m to the WNW. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 7 June 2023

• CL010-248 Enclosure
  Description

  On a high shelf on the NE slopes of a NE-SW ridge in semi-karst rough pasture within an extensive field system (CL010-064001-). A subcircular enclosure (c. 32m N-S; c. 32m E-W) defined by a low bank or grassed-over wall visible on OSi MapGenie orthophotography (2013-2018) and on Digital Globe (2011-2013). Contemporary field walls abut the perimeter at NW and SW. A later wall, part of the townland boundary between Cappaghkennedy and Knockans Upper, traverses the middle of the site from NE to SW. A cairn (CL010-031----), one of several, lies on the higher part of the ridge c. 125m to the NW. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 19 June 2023

Architectural heritage

No building of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage stands in the townland of Knockans Upper.

Designated sites: National Parks and Wildlife Service. Recorded monuments: Sites and Monuments Record, National Monuments Service. Buildings: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Works at or in relation to a recorded monument need two months' written notice to the National Monuments Service (National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994, section 12).

Radon

The EPA radon map did not answer.

Landslides

The 1:50,000 map rates the landslide susceptibility here as high, moderately high, moderately low, low, partly inferred.

Terrain model

No LiDAR survey of the Office of Public Works covers the centre of the townland of Knockans Upper.

Flooding

The Office of Public Works publishes its flood maps on floodinfo.ie.

Radon Risk Map of Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency, and Landslide Susceptibility Classification, Geological Survey Ireland, both under CC BY 4.0. LiDAR: contains Irish Public Sector Data (Geological Survey Ireland & the Office of Public Works) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.

No address of the register names Knockans Upper with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Clare.

Name

Knockans Upper

Area

1,460,346 m² (146.03 ha, 360.86 acres)

Civil parish

Carran, and its townlands

Barony

Burren

Electoral division

Carran, the unit of the census

Census 2022

146 people lived in 40 households in the Carran electoral division. 75% of households owned their home. 33% of homes were built since 2001. 21% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 18% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Cappaghkennedy, Fahee South, Glenquin, Knockans Lower, Lackareagh, Slievenaglasha

Placenames

Knockans Upper on logainm.ie, the Placenames Database of Ireland

Townlands, civil parishes, baronies and electoral divisions, National Statutory Boundaries, Tailte Éireann, CC BY 4.0. Census 2022, Small Area Population Statistics by electoral division, Central Statistics Office, CC BY 4.0. A townland is the smallest land division of Ireland, and the unit of a rural address. Old registers such as the 1901 and 1911 censuses file it under its civil parish and barony.